ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp Scholarships

Academy of Country Music Lifting Lives

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ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp Scholarships are need-based awards funded by the Academy of Country Music's philanthropic arm, covering partial to full tuition ($1,600) for musically talented individuals with developmental disabilities attending a week-long residential music camp in Nashville.

Award Amount

$1,600 USD

Scholarship Type

need-based

Eligibility Criteria

individuals-with-developmental-disabilities
music-camp-participants

Instruments

multiple

ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp Scholarships are need-based awards funded by the Academy of Country Music's philanthropic arm. They cover partial to full tuition for musically talented individuals with developmental disabilities attending a week-long residential camp in Nashville, Tennessee.

How ACM Lifting Lives Works

The ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp is a residential program at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. It serves musically talented individuals with Williams syndrome and other developmental disabilities. The camp runs for one week and costs $1,600 per camper. That covers room, meals, and all field trips.

ACM Lifting Lives funds the camp and provides need-based scholarships. Families qualify based on annual household income:

Income at or below $25,000 per year: full tuition scholarship ($0 owed)
Income between $25,001 and $50,000: 75% scholarship ($400 owed)
Income between $50,001 and $75,000: 50% scholarship ($800 owed)
Income between $75,001 and $100,000: 25% scholarship ($1,200 owed)

Families must submit the previous year's tax return as supporting documentation. Scholarships cover tuition only. Families are responsible for transportation to and from Nashville and Grand Ole Opry performance tickets (approximately $60 to $85 per person).

The camp has a dual purpose. It provides music enrichment through performance and education. It also supports Vanderbilt Kennedy Center research on Williams syndrome and developmental disabilities. Approximately 150 participants have taken part over the past five years.

ACM Lifting Lives has also funded other music education initiatives. In 2015, the foundation gave a $10,000 grant to Middle Tennessee State University's Commercial Songwriting Program to bring visiting professionals into classrooms.

Real-World Example

A family earning $30,000 per year would qualify for a 75% scholarship. Their out-of-pocket cost for the camp would be $400 instead of $1,600. They would still need to cover airfare to Nashville and Opry tickets for attending family members. A family earning $20,000 per year would pay nothing for tuition, saving the full $1,600.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you have a family member with developmental disabilities who loves music, this camp offers a structured residential program at little or no cost depending on income. The camp provides performance opportunities including an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry. Participants work with music professionals and engage in ground-breaking research.

Contact the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center directly to begin the application process. Prepare your tax documentation early. Spaces are limited and the camp serves a specific population.

Drawbacks / Things to Consider

The camp is specifically designed for individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly Williams syndrome. It is not a general music scholarship for typical students. Families must cover transportation costs to Nashville. Opry performance tickets are not included in tuition. The camp is only one week long. It is not a degree program or a long-term educational grant.